The Department
of State announced April 10 the signing on April 9, 1941 of an agreement
between the Secretary of State, acting on behalf of the Government of the
United States of America, and the Danish Minister, Henrik de Kauffmann, acting
on behalf of His Majesty the King of Denmark in his capacity as sovereign of
Greenland.

The agreement
recognizes that as a result of the present European war there is danger that
Greenland may be converted into a point of aggression against nations of the
American Continent, and accepts the responsibility on behalf of the United
States of assisting Green­land in the maintenance of its present status.

The agreement,
after explicitly recognizing the Danish sovereignty over Greenland, proceeds to
grant to the United States the right to locate and construct airplane landing
fields and facilities for the defense of Greenland and for the defense of the
American Continent.

The
circumstances leading up to the agreement are as follows.

On April 9, 1940
the German Army invaded and occupied Den­mark, and that occupation continues.
In condemning this invasion President Roosevelt said [see doc. 148].

This invasion at
once raised questions as to the status of Green­land, which has been recognized
as being within the area of the

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Monroe Doctrine. The Government
of the United States announces its policy of maintenance of the status quo
in the Western Hemisphere.

On May 3, 1940 the Greenland Councils, meeting at
Godhavn, adopted a resolution in the. name of the people of Greenland re­affirming
their allegiance to King Christian X of Denmark, and expressed the hope that so
long as Greenland remained cut off from the mother country, the Government of
the United States would con­tinue to keep in mind the exposed position of the
Danish flag in Greenland and of the native and Danish population of Greenland.
The Government of the United States expressed its willingness to assure that
the needs of the population of Greenland would be taken care of.

On July 25,
1940, the consultation of American Foreign Ministers at Habana declared that
any attempt on the part of a non‑American state against the integrity or
inviolability of the territory, the sov­ereignty, or the political independence
of an American state should be considered an act of aggression, and that they
would cooperate in defense against any such aggression. In a further
declaration, known as the Act of Habana, it declared that the status of regions
in this continent belonging to European powers was a subject of deep concern to
all of the governments of the American republics.

During the
summer of 1940 German activity on the eastern coast of Greenland became
apparent. Three ships proceeding from Nor­wegian territory under German
occupation arrived off the coast of Greenland, ostensibly for commercial or
scientific purposes; and at least one of these ships landed parties nominally
for scientific pur­poses, but actually for meteorological assistance to German
belligerent operations in the north Atlantic. These parties were eventually
cleared out. In the late fall of 1940, air reconnaissance appeared over East
Greenland under circumstances making it plain that there had been continued
activity in that region.

On March 2l,
1941, a German bomber flew over the eastern coast of Greenland and on the
following day another German war plane likewise reconnoitered the same
territory. Under these circumstances it appeared that further steps for the
defense of Greenland were necessary to bring Greenland within the system of
hemispheric de­fense envisaged by the Act of Habana.

The Government
of the United States has no thought in mind save that of assuring the safety of
Greenland and the rest of the American Continent, and Greenland's continuance
under Danish sovereignty. The agreement recognizes explicitly the full Danish
sov‑

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ereignty over Greenland. At the
same time it is recognized that so long as Denmark remains under German
occupation the Government in Denmark cannot exercise the Danish sovereign
powers over Green­land under the Monroe Doctrine, and the agreement therefore
was signed between the Secretary of State and the Danish Minister in
Washington, acting as representative of the King of Denmark in his capacity as
sovereign of Greenland, and with the concurrence of the Governors of Greenland.

The step is
taken in furtherance of the traditional friendliness be­tween Denmark and the
United States. The policy of the United States is that of defending for Denmark
her sovereignty over Green­land, so that she may have a full exercise of it as
soon as the invasion is ended. The agreement accordingly provides that as soon
as the war is over and the danger has passed, the two Governments shall
promptly consult as to whether the arrangements made by the pres­ent agreement
shall continue or whether they shall then cease.

TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT

Whereas:

ONE. After the
invasion and occupation of Denmark on April 9, 1940 by foreign military forces,
the United Greenland Councils at their meeting at Godhavn on May 3, 1940
adopted in the name of the people of Greenland a resolution reiterating their
oath of alle­giance to King Christian X of Denmark and expressing the hope
that, for as long as Greenland remains cut off from the mother country, the
Government of the United States of America will continue to hold in mind the
exposed position of the Danish flag in Greenland, of the native Greenland and
Danish population, and of established public order; and

TWO. The
Governments of all of the American Republics have agreed that the status of
regions in the Western Hemisphere belonging to European powers is a subject of
deep concern to the American Na­tions, and that the course of military events
in Europe and the changes resulting from them may create the grave danger that
European ter­ritorial possessions in America may be converted into strategic
centers of aggression against nations of the American Continent; and

THREE. Defense
of Greenland against attack by a non‑American power is essential to the
preservation of the peace and security of the American Continent and is a
subject of vital concern to the United States of America and also to the
Kingdom of Denmark; and

Four. Although
the sovereignty of Denmark over Greenland is fully recognized, the present
circumstances for the time being prevent

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the Government in Denmark from
exercising its powers in respect of Greenland.

Therefore,

The undersigned,
to wit: CORDELL HULL, Secretary of State of the United States of America,
acting on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, and HENRIK
DE KAUFFMANN, Envoy Ex­traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty
the King of Denmark at Washington, acting on behalf of His Majesty the King of
Denmark in His capacity as sovereign of Greenland, whose author­ities in
Greenland have concurred herein, have agreed as follows

ARTICLE I

The Government
of the United States of America reiterates its recognition of and respect for
the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Den­mark over Greenland. Recognizing that as
a result of the present European war there is danger that Greenland may be
converted into a point of aggression against nations of the American Continent,
the Government of the United States of America, having in mind its obligations
under the Act of Habana signed on July 30, 1940, accepts the responsibility of
assisting Greenland in the maintenance of its present status.

ARTICLE II

It is agreed
that the Government of the United States of America shall have the right to
construct, maintain and operate such landing fields, seaplane facilities and
radio and meteorological installations as may be necessary for the
accomplishment of the purposes set forth in Article I.

ARTICLE III

The grants of
the rights specified in Article II shall also include the right to improve and
deepen harbors and anchorages and the ap­proaches thereto, to install aids to
navigation by air and by water, and to construct roads, communication services,
fortifications, repair and storage facilities, and housing for personnel, and
generally, the right to do any and all things necessary to insure the efficient
operation, maintenance and protection of such defense facilities as may be
established.

ARTICLE IV

The landing
fields, seaplane, harbor and other defense facilities that may be constructed
and operated by the Government of the United

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States of America under Articles
II and III will be made available to the airplanes and vessels of all the
American Nations for purposes connected with the common defense of the Western
Hemisphere.

ARTICLE V

It is agreed
that the Government of the United States of America shall have the right to
lease for such period of time as this Agreement may be in force such areas of
land and water as may be necessary for the construction, operation and
protection of the defense facilities specified in Articles II and III. In
locating the aforesaid defense areas, the fullest consideration consistent with
military necessity shall be given to the welfare, health and economic needs of
the native popula­tion of Greenland. It is agreed, however, that since the
paramount objective sought is the early attainment of an adequate defense estab­lishment
in Greenland, the utilization of any area deemed by the Gov­ernment of the
United States of America to be needed for this purpose shall not be delayed
pending the reaching‑of an agreement upon the precise terms of a formal
lease. A description of such areas, by metes and bounds, and a statement of the
purpose for which they are needed shall in each case be communicated to the
Danish authorities in Green­land as soon as practicable, and the negotiation of
a formal lease shall be undertaken within a reasonable period of time
thereafter.

ARTICLE VI

The Kingdom of
Denmark retains sovereignty over the defense areas mentioned in the preceding
articles. So long as this Agreement shall remain in force, the Government of
the United States of America shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any such
defense area in Green­land and over military and civilian personnel of the
United States; and their families, as well as over all other persons within
such areas except Danish citizens and native Greenlanders, it being understood,
however, that the Government of the United States may turn over to the Danish
authorities in Greenland for trial and punishment any person commit­ting an
offense within a defense area, if the Government of the United States shall
decide not to exercise jurisdiction in such case. The Danish authorities in
Greenland will take adequate measures to insure the prosecution and punishment
in case of conviction of all Danish citizens, native Greenlanders, and other
persons who may be turned over to them by the authorities of the United States,
for offenses committed within the said defense areas.

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ARTICLE VII

It is agreed
that the Government of the United States of America shall have the right to
establish and maintain postal facilities and commissary stores to be used
solely by military and civilian personnel of the United States, and their
families, maintained in Greenland in connection with the Greenland defense
establishment. If requested by the Danish authorities in Greenland,
arrangements will be made to enable persons other than those mentioned to purchase
necessary sup­plies at such commissary stores as may be established.

ARTICLE VIII

All materials,
supplies and equipment for the construction, use and operation of the defense
establishment and for the personal needs of military and civilian personnel of
the United States, and their families, shall be permitted entry into Greenland
free of customs duties, excise taxes, or other charges, and the said personnel;
and their families, shall also be exempt from all forms of taxation,
assessments or other levies by the Danish authorities in Greenland.

ARTICLE IX

The Government
of the United States of America will respect all legitimate interests in
Greenland as well as all the laws, regulations and customs pertaining to the
native population and the internal administration of Greenland. In exercising
the rights derived from this Agreement the Government of the United States will
give sympa­thetic consideration to all representations made by the Danish
authori­ties in Greenland with respect to the welfare of the inhabitants of
Greenland.

ARTICLE X

This Agreement
shall remain in force until it is agreed that the present dangers to the peace
and security of the American Continent have passed. At that time the
modification or termination of the Agreement will be the subject of
consultation between the Government of the United States of America and the
Government of Denmark. After due consultation has taken place, each party shall
have the right to give the other party notice of its intention to terminate the
Agree­ment, and it is hereby agreed, that at the expiration of twelve months
after such notice shall have been received by either party from the other this
Agreement shall cease to be in force.

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Signed at
Washington in duplicate, in the English and Danish languages, both texts having
equal force, this 9th day of April, nineteen hundred end forty‑one.

[SEAL]CORDELL HULL.

Secretary of State

of
the United States of America

[SEAL]HENRIK KAUFFMANN

Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister

Plenipotentiary
of His Majesty

the
King of Denmark at Washington

EXCHANGE OF NOTES
BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE MINISTER OF DENMARK

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, April 7, 1941.

SIR:

I have the honor
to refer to the informal conversations which you have had with officers of the
Department of State during which the concern of the Government of the United
States was expressed over the effect of recent military developments,
particularly affecting Greenland, upon the maintenance of the peace and security
of the United States and the rest of the American Continent.

You are also
aware of the interest of the Government of the United States in maintaining
unimpaired the safety of Greenland and the sovereignty of Denmark over that
island. My Government has con­tinuously had in mind the desire expressed by the
United Greenland Councils at their meeting at Godhavn on May 3, 1940 that the
Government of the United States of America would continue to hold in mind the
exposed position of the Danish flag in Greenland and of the native Greenland
and Danish population of the island.

My Government
has taken note of the unusual situation in which Greenland now finds itself.
The Kingdom of Denmark is at present under occupation by a foreign army. The
Government of the United States has condemned that invasion as a violation of
Danish sovereign rights, and has repeatedly expressed its friendly concern and
its most earnest hope for the complete and speedy liberation of Denmark.
Although the Government of the United States fully recognizes the sovereignty
of the Kingdom of Denmark over Greenland, it is un­happily clear that the
Government in Denmark is not in a position to exercise sovereign power over
Greenland so long as the present mili­tary occupation continues.

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Greenland is
within the area embraced by the Monroe Doctrine and by the Act of Havana, with
which you are familiar, and its defense against attack by a non‑American
power is plainly essential to the preservation of the peace and security of the
American continent, and of the traditional policies of this Government
respecting the Western Hemisphere.

My Government
has consequently proposed measures for the ade­quate defense of Greenland
consistent with the obligations of the United States under the Act of Havana
signed on July 30, 1940. In doing so it is animated by sentiments of the
completest friendliness for Denmark, and believes that by taking these steps it
is safeguarding the eventual re‑establishment of the normal relationship
between Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.

I have the honor
to enclose a draft of the proposed agreement relat­ing to the defense of
Greenland, which I believe embodies the ideas agreed upon in the course of our
various conversations.

Accept [etc.]CORDELL HULL

ROYAL DANISH LEGATION,

Washington, D. C., April 9, 1941.

SIR:

I have received
your note of the seventh instant concerning the de­fense of Greenland together
with a draft of a proposed agreement regarding the same subject.

It is with
appreciation that I note your renewed assurance that, although the present
circumstances prevent the Government in Den­mark for the time being from
exercising its powers in respect of Greenland, your Government fully recognizes
the Sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark over the island. At the same time I
wish to convey to you my feelings of gratitude for the expression of friendly
concern of your Government and its earnest hope for the complete and speedy
liberation of Denmark.

I share your
view that the proposed agreement, arrived at after an open and friendly
exchange of views, is, under the singularly unusual circumstances, the best
measure to assure both Greenland's present safety and the future of the island
under Danish Sovereignty.

Furthermore, I
am of the opinion that the terms of the agreement protect, as far as possible,
the interests of the native population of Greenland whose welfare traditionally
has been the paramount aim of Denmark's policy in Greenland.

I, therefore,
shall accept and sign the agreement as proposed, acting on behalf of His
Majesty, the King of Denmark, in His capacity

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of Sovereign over Greenland,
whose authorities in Greenland have concurred herein.